For ages, milk thistle has been found to be a natural remedy for many health ailments. Among its many important uses, the one that stands out most is detoxification. Many research has been done and are still in progress to learn and understand the full extent of its usefulness. While such research is still ongoing, it has already been proven that milk thistle is packed with numerous health benefits that are definitely worth your while.

1. Encourage healthier skin

The skin is the largest organ in the body so removing toxins from the skin is of utmost importance. Milk thistle helps detoxify the liver and keeps the colon clean to encourage the elimination of toxins which leads to healthier skin.

2. Support natural detox

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As we pointed out above, milk thistle detoxifies the liver. This helps to support the liver’s natural functions by facilitating the growth of new liver cells. With new and functional liver cells, the liver will be better equipped to handle and remove new and incoming toxins.

3. Promote cell growth and regeneration

Some drugs and medications such as antidepressants and cholesterol reducing prescription can harm the liver cells. Using milk thistle can help the liver to regenerate new cells. This is because milk thistle has a particular compound called silymarin which has the ability to promote the regeneration of damaged cells.

4. Promote gallbladder health

The gallbladder stores bile in the body and is located under the liver. Bile helps in digesting fats and is very important in maintaining the general well-being of the body. Milk thistle helps in detoxifying the gallbladder and prevents the formation of gallstones, which are formed when bile hardens. The presence of gallstones is harmful as this can lead to blockage of the gallbladder passageway causing pain and gallbladder attack. Thus, milk thistle helps prevent this.

5. Balances Hormone

Besides helping the body to remove toxins, the liver also has another function, which is remove excess hormones that are not needed by the body. This helps to balance the hormones level in the body, because the presence of any more, or less, hormones than needed can cause negative effects to the body. Furthermore, some females need to produce breast milk for their children, and hormones control that ability to produce breast milk.

6. Balances blood sugar

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Although it’s still not clear how milk thistle does this, medical researchers suggest the antioxidants, silymarin and fatty acids contained in milk thistle helps in regulating the body insulin levels. As a result, blood sugar levels are balanced.

7. Helps seasonal allergies

Many people tend to develop some seasonal allergies such as sinuses, histaminic reactions, and inflammatory reactions. Milk thistles can help get reduce these disturbing symptoms of allergies and maybe even keep the sniffles away.

8. Aid digestion

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Milk thistle helps to promote good intestinal health and treat some digestion problems like irritable bowel syndrome, and constipation due to food indigestions. Milk thistle helps to soften and moisturise the mucous membrane and heals the intestine walls, thus helping to remove symptoms of some gastrointestinal problems.

9. Ease heartburn

Many people are constantly being affected by intense heartburn and chest pain after eating certain foods. This happens when the acids present in the stomach goes into the food pipe and esophagus. Since milk thistle has anti-inflammatory properties, it can help to prevent and reduce the effect of heartburn.

10. Support the kidneys

Milk thistle helps to protect the kidney and restore damaged cells in the kidney due to use of pharmaceutical drugs. Happy kidney, happy life!

Side effects of ingesting milk thistle

Despite all the great benefits of milk thistle, there can be some side effects if the herb is taken in excess or without medical supervision. Before you try the herb, it is important to do more research to make sure you are suitable for taking milk thistle as a supplement, or even simply to use it.

If you have any doubt, consult a medical specialist. The last thing you can want to have are the following symptoms that can make your life miserable:

• Gastrointestinal problems although they are rare includes diarrhea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, nausea and changes in bowel habit.
• Headaches
• Skin reactions: Rashes, eczema.
• Neuropsychological events: Insomnia, asthenia, malaise.
• Joint pain.
• Rhino conjunctivitis, runny nose, sneezing and nasal congestion.
• Anaphylaxis a life threatening allergic reaction.

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